SEGMENT OF LADIES’ SASH FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON’S 1ST INAUGURAL BALL

$1,250.00 SOLD

Quantity Available: None

Item Code: L14455

Small fragment of pink silk from a sash presented to ladies attending President Washington’s first inaugural ball, held in New York City, May 7, 1789. Faded fragment measures 2.5 x.15”, and is from the family of Nathan Read, a prominent Massachusetts resident, and later US Congressman from the late 1790s through 1803. Sash fragment is accompanied by family card, circa 1860-70s, handwritten in pencil as follows: “A piece of the sash worn by grandmother Read at Gen. Washington’s ball—The ends had a spread eagle in gold with the initials G.W.” This description tallies visually with an authentic sash specimen, which may be viewed on the internet by googling “George Washington Inaugural sash.” The pink silk fragment is a match with the pink seen on the upper sash.

At the time of Washington’s 1789 Inaugural ball, “Grandmother Read” [nee’ Elizabeth Jeffrey] was the fiancée of Nathan Read, whom she would marry in October 1790. A former tutor at Harvard, Read had been a highly successful scientist, with numerous inventions in the area of high-pressure steam engineering. Elected as a Federalist to the Sixth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel Sewell, he was re-elected to the Seventh Congress and served from November 25, 1800, to March 3, 1803. Later serving as Justice of the Courts of Common Pleas of Maine and Massachusetts, serving from 1803 until his death in 1849.

The inaugural sash fragment & handwritten family card are mounted in light oak riker box with red matting, measuring 18 x 12”. Accompanied by congressionally franked envelope---“The Hon. Nathan Read / Member of Congress/ Washington City”, dating from 1800-1802”, post-marked “Salem. Ms/ Dec/ 29.” Envelope lightly soiled, ink and post-mark lightly faded. Also includes an albumen print, circa 1870, measuring 4 x 5.5”, featuring five unidentified girls and two males [possibly Read family members] lined along a shaded street. Accompanied by documentation, Invites further research.

Highly unique, superb presidential collectible.

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